The Memorial

This bunker site is one of the 3 larger structures on the site during the occupation; the two others are the 2 command posts.  Construction was organized by a German company by the name of Todt, using a standard Regelbau 605 plan.  Only 9 of its kind were constructed in Europe, which makes it a rarity in France, unique in its economical use of cinderblock. 

The particular subject made with 910 cubic meters of cement was a garage.  It had 2 main areas: a central cell and an airlock that connects the 3 areas.  The main cell was used to house vehicles or guns.  The central room was a garrison for the soldiers in charge of guarding the equipment.  Actually, this bunker served another purpose entirely, since its construction was not finished before D-day 1944.  Since the sliding armored doors were not yet installed, and the access path to the garage was yet to be completed.

Only the 1st cell was used, and that was to house the BMW of Colonel Krug (the commander of the post), as told by a German soldier present at the site.

The 2nd cell, it seems, was only used to stock materials.   On D-day, this bunker was the target of several shellings, which is evident by the bullet holes in the cement at the level of the tobruk on the right, and at the entrance of one of the cells on the left.

In this vicinity, on the morning of June 7th, Colonel Krug and seventy men came out of the underground command post and surrendered to the British soldiers.

On June 6th, 1989, this bunker situated on this privately owned parcel of land, was given to the English regiment of Suffolk, that liberated the site in 1944 and it became their memorial.  It was the first renovation to be brought to light after being abandoned for 45 years.

Since this day, a ceremony is organized every year around the 6th of June to commemorate the battle of June 6th 1944.  This battle liberated the village and the Hillman site.  Though there are less and less men due to their advancing ages, British veterans as well as German veterans come here, year after year to attend the ceremony.

Inside the bunker, are signs explaining D-day, and the Suffolk regiment.  This permits visitors to better understand the events that came about here in June of 1944.  When it is open, you can also find in the bunker, the site’s museum.  There is a display of English and German items that were present during the war. Finally, on the roof of the bunker is the orientation map.  It shows the entire Hillman site, with its defense points and scenery…to better orient yourself.

Please go to another structure to continue the visit.

In front of you is the artillery command post.

The bunker is based on the same plan (the Regelbau 608) as the infantry command post situated a few dozen meters to the east.  It is different from the regular 608 by the addition of a stocking area for the coal against the trobruk, as well as the presence of a fortified observation a dome, at the end of the hallway.  This hallway is longer than the one in the infantry command post.

To build this bunker, Todt company had to remove 1900 cubic meters of earth, then, used 990 cubic meters of cement, and 40 tons of steel.  Construction was done between autumn 1943 and beginning 1944.  In order to obtain maximum resistance, the cement was poured around the clock, thanks to a fleet of 5 to 10 cement trucks.  Drying time was completed after 6 months.

Inside was the command post of the first group of the 17/16 artillery regiment, commanded by major Karl Werner Hof.  He directed four groups that protected the mouth of the Orne river.  Those batteries were of: Merville; Morris battery was situated at about 1Km in the village of Colleville; Brevy les Monts and finally, the battery at the water tower in Ouistreham.

To better serve the function of this bunker, it was well equipped with : a generator delivering 110Votts…..one tank of 1700 liters of drinking water….various installations against the use of poisonous gas…..one central heating system…..one room for the ventilation system….one radio transmitting room…..one phone room….one dormitory….one munitions room….and lastly, one room for the commander.

On a regular day, a dozen men worked inside.

On your right, the beginning of a trench was found.  This trench was part of a complex network of about 2Km that connected the bunkers together.  We can still see the old red telephone wires that were used at the time.

Updated in 1994, this bunker is currently used as a stock area for those restoring the Hillman site.

Please go to another structure to continue your tour.